Healthy Homes Assessment Strathmore Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation 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 not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified 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 contract is signed on a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised 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 your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Strathmore Park, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Strathmore Park rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Strathmore Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Strathmore Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Strathmore Park

Strathmore Park rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Strathmore Park

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Strathmore Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for 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 higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Strathmore Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Strathmore Park

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Strathmore Park for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.