Healthy Homes Assessment Fernhill

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Fernhill rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Fernhill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Fernhill, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Fernhill rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Fernhill rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Fernhill Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fernhill

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Fernhill

Fernhill rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it could require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Fernhill

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Fernhill

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making more easy for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Fernhill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fernhill

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to the Healthy Homes Standard in Fernhill include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fernhill for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.