Healthy Homes Assessment Flaxmere

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Flaxmere rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess both 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Flaxmere rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Flaxmere, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Flaxmere rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Flaxmere rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Flaxmere Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Flaxmere

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Flaxmere

Flaxmere rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Flaxmere

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Flaxmere

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to allow the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Flaxmere Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space 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 generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor 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 Flaxmere

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standards in Flaxmere include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Flaxmere for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.