Healthy Homes Assessment Trentham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Trentham rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess both 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Trentham, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Trentham rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control in Trentham rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Trentham Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Trentham

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Trentham

Rental properties in Trentham should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current 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 the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Trentham

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Trentham

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to allow the house to retain heat.

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 it is a measurement 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 – the remainder of the 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the 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 through The 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 many concerns you should look for during a house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.