Healthy Homes Assessment Strathmore Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Strathmore Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Strathmore Park, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Strathmore Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Strathmore Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Strathmore Park

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Strathmore Park

Strathmore Park rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. 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 heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll 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 safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it could need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Strathmore Park

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Strathmore Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

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

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

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

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

Strathmore Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Strathmore Park

Rental property areas 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 variety of things you should look for in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.