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 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 covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required to complete 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 following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate each of 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Strathmore Park, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the standard of Strathmore Park rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Strathmore Park

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Strathmore Park

Rental properties in Strathmore Park require a reliable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need 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 acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Strathmore Park

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Strathmore Park

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making more easy for the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Strathmore Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Strathmore Park

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Strathmore Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Strathmore Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• 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 a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.