Healthy Homes Assessment Fernhill

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Fernhill rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Fernhill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Fernhill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Fernhill, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Fernhill rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Fernhill rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fernhill

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Fernhill

Fernhill rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Fernhill

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Fernhill

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to allow the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the 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 remainder area of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Fernhill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fernhill

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Fernhill include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fernhill for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.