Healthy Homes Assessment Flaxmere

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in 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 related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Flaxmere rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Flaxmere rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Flaxmere, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Flaxmere rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Flaxmere rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Flaxmere

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Flaxmere

Rental properties in Flaxmere should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Flaxmere

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Flaxmere

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Flaxmere Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Flaxmere

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Flaxmere include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Flaxmere for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.