Healthy Homes Assessment Trentham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Trentham rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a house assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Trentham, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Trentham rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Trentham rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Trentham Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Trentham

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Trentham

Trentham rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to include a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it may need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Trentham

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not require 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, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Trentham

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier for the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire 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

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Trentham include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Trentham for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.