Healthy Homes Assessment Flaxmere

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 ensure their Flaxmere rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed 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 to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified to evaluate each of 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Flaxmere rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Flaxmere rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request an house evaluation 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 are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Flaxmere, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Flaxmere rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Flaxmere rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Flaxmere Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Flaxmere

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Flaxmere

Flaxmere rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Flaxmere

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside and remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Flaxmere

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Flaxmere Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Flaxmere

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Flaxmere for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.