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 any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st 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 to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Trentham, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Trentham rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Trentham rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Trentham Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Trentham

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Trentham

Trentham rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Trentham

Every living space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Trentham

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task for the house to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists 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

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Trentham include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Trentham for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.