Healthy Homes Assessment Trentham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified to assess both 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any 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, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Trentham, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Trentham rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Trentham rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Trentham Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Trentham

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A humid house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Trentham

Rental properties in Trentham require a reliable source of heating that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. 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 permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Trentham

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Trentham

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering 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

The areas of rental property that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Trentham include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Trentham for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.