Healthy Homes Assessment Trentham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Trentham rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current 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.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Trentham, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Trentham rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Trentham rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Trentham Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Trentham

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Trentham

Trentham rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Trentham

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Trentham

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Trentham

The areas of rental property that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Trentham include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Trentham for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.