Healthy Homes Assessment Trentham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Trentham rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 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 assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on the Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive 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 liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

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

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Trentham, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Trentham rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Trentham rental properties.

Begin now by calling 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 households. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of 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 should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Trentham

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding that dried air can be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Trentham

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier for the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The 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 to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Trentham include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Trentham for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.