Healthy Homes Assessment Strathmore Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure 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 are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are 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

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 items need to be completed within 90 days.

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

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

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance 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’s important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Strathmore Park, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Strathmore Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Strathmore Park rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Strathmore Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Strathmore Park

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Strathmore Park

Strathmore Park rental properties require a reliable source of heat which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. 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 heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Strathmore Park

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Strathmore Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Strathmore Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent 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

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Strathmore Park include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Strathmore Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.