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 must ensure that their Strathmore Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 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. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could 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 property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Strathmore Park, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Strathmore Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Strathmore Park rental properties.

Start now and call about the Strathmore Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Strathmore Park

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Strathmore Park

Rental properties in Strathmore Park must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Strathmore Park

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside and remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Strathmore Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task for the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Strathmore Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full 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 through the Healthy Homes Standard in Strathmore Park include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Strathmore Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.