Healthy Homes Assessment Frasertown

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 are now required to ensure their Frasertown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be completed and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Frasertown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Frasertown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Frasertown, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Frasertown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Frasertown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Frasertown

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Frasertown

Frasertown rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Frasertown

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Frasertown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to the home to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Frasertown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Frasertown

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Frasertown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Frasertown for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.