Healthy Homes Assessment Frasertown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Frasertown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be completed and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Frasertown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Frasertown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Frasertown, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Frasertown rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Frasertown rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Frasertown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Frasertown

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the house warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Frasertown

Rental properties in Frasertown must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Frasertown

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Frasertown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make more easy for the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Frasertown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 Frasertown

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Frasertown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Frasertown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.