Healthy Homes Assessment Strathmore Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that 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 rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach 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 healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Strathmore Park, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Strathmore Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation 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 now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Strathmore Park

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Strathmore Park

Rental properties in Strathmore Park need to have a stable heating source that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Strathmore Park

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Strathmore Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy for the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the 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; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of 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 with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Strathmore Park include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Strathmore Park for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house assessment.