Healthy Homes Assessment Trentham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Trentham rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under 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 connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Trentham, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Trentham rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Trentham rental properties.

Get started now and contact us 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 homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Trentham

Rental properties in Trentham require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed 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 standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Trentham

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, and stay closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Trentham

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to allow the household to retain 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 gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when 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 present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Trentham

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Trentham include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Trentham for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.