Healthy Homes Assessment Trentham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that 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 a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 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 determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be 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 property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and 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 a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Trentham, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Trentham rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control in Trentham rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Trentham Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Trentham

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Trentham

Trentham rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it could need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Trentham

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is about recognising it is 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.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Trentham

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

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

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Trentham

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Trentham include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Trentham for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.