Healthy Homes Assessment Strathmore Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Strathmore Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be completed and provide a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified for 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Strathmore Park, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Strathmore Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Strathmore Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Strathmore Park

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Strathmore Park

Rental properties in Strathmore Park must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the main or largest 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 well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Strathmore Park

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Strathmore Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to allow the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Strathmore Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Strathmore Park

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Strathmore Park for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property house assessment.