Healthy Homes Assessment Strathmore Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the 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 any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must 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 evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request 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?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Strathmore Park, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Strathmore Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Strathmore Park rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Strathmore Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Strathmore Park

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Strathmore Park

Rental properties in Strathmore Park should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during 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 heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Strathmore Park

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The 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.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Strathmore Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to allow the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 - 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the 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 through the Healthy Homes Standard in Strathmore Park include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Strathmore Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house assessment.