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 July 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Strathmore Park, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Strathmore Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control 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 can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large 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 sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

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

Heating Strathmore Park

Rental properties in Strathmore Park should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested 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 it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Strathmore Park

Every living space in a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Strathmore Park

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to allow the household to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the 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 moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Strathmore Park

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Strathmore Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Strathmore Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.