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 their Strathmore Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to assess 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Strathmore Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, 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 landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Strathmore Park, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Strathmore Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Strathmore Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Strathmore Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Strathmore Park

Rental properties in Strathmore Park should have a permanent heating source which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it might require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet 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 needs.

Ventilation Strathmore Park

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Strathmore Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to the home to keep warmth.

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

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

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Strathmore Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this 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 through Health 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 numerous things to look over in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.