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 now have to make sure that their Trentham rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant 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 assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be done and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified for 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 tasks must be taken care of inside of 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 completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the 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 call us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of details on 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 shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Trentham rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

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 in Trentham rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Trentham Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Trentham

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Trentham

Rental properties in Trentham need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on 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 heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Trentham

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Trentham

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to the household to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Trentham

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Trentham include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Trentham for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.