Healthy Homes Assessment Trentham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Trentham rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate each of 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Trentham, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Trentham rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Trentham rental properties.

Start now and call about the Trentham Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Trentham

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Trentham

Trentham rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it may require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Trentham

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding that dried air can be easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able to open to the outside while remaining closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Trentham

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task for the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Trentham

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards 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 when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.