Healthy Homes Assessment Trentham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must 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 subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to evaluate 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, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Trentham rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about getting a 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 humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check every window and door as part of our 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 homes

Heating Trentham

Rental properties in Trentham require a reliable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Trentham

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Trentham

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Trentham

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Trentham include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Trentham for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during a house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.