Healthy Homes Assessment Trentham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 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 renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive 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 who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Trentham, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Trentham rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the 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 having a Trentham Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Trentham

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Trentham

Rental properties in Trentham require a reliable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during 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 heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Trentham

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air is easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Trentham

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Trentham

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Trentham include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Trentham for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.