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? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Strathmore Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with 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 up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

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

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house evaluation 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 So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Strathmore Park, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Strathmore Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control for Strathmore Park rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Strathmore Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Strathmore Park

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Strathmore Park

Rental properties in Strathmore Park should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Strathmore Park

Each liveable space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Strathmore Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to allow the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Strathmore Park

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards 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 numerous concerns to check during the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.