Healthy Homes Assessment Trentham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 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 will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Trentham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one 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 company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that 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. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Trentham, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Trentham rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Trentham rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Trentham

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Trentham

Trentham rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Trentham

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing 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 humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Trentham

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to the house to retain heat.

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 measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Trentham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the 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 the Healthy Homes Standard in Trentham include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Trentham for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient 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 the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.