Healthy Homes Assessment Strathmore Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Strathmore Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements 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 conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Strathmore Park, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Strathmore Park rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Strathmore Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Strathmore Park

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up 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 household heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Strathmore Park

Strathmore Park rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Strathmore Park

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air is more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Strathmore Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes it easier for the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

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

Strathmore Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 Strathmore Park

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Strathmore Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Strathmore Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property house evaluation.