Healthy Homes Assessment Strathmore Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have 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 completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified to assess each of 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have 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.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request a home assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Strathmore Park, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Strathmore Park rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Strathmore Park rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Strathmore Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Strathmore Park

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Strathmore Park

Strathmore Park rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Strathmore Park

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation 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 cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Strathmore Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Strathmore Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Strathmore Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

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