Healthy Homes Assessment Trentham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Trentham rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Trentham, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Trentham rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Trentham rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Trentham Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Trentham

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Trentham

Rental properties in Trentham must have a fixed heating source that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living area to at minimum 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 well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Trentham

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Trentham

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to the household to retain the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Trentham

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standards in Trentham include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Trentham for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in an house 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 insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.