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 are now required to make sure 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 must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

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

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Trentham, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Trentham rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Trentham rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Trentham

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Trentham

Rental properties in Trentham need to have a stable heating source which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Trentham

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Trentham

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to allow the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

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

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing 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

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Trentham include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Trentham for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.