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 of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Judgeford rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified for both 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 brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Judgeford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Judgeford rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment done for your rental property.

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 homes in New Zealand and Judgeford, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Judgeford rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Judgeford rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Judgeford Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Judgeford

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

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Judgeford

Judgeford rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Judgeford

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air is more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Judgeford

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier for the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 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 - 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.

Judgeford Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the 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 a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Judgeford

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Judgeford include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Judgeford for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.