Healthy Homes Assessment Trentham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Trentham rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under 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 for rental properties, we are 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Trentham, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Trentham rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Trentham rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Trentham

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Trentham

Trentham rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it may need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Trentham

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Trentham

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to allow the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this 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 with Health 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 in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.