Healthy Homes Assessment Flaxmere

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Flaxmere rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’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 landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified for 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Flaxmere rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on the Flaxmere rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect 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 person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Flaxmere, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Flaxmere rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Flaxmere rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Flaxmere Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Flaxmere

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Flaxmere

Rental properties in Flaxmere must have a fixed heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Flaxmere

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Flaxmere

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier for the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Flaxmere Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Flaxmere

The areas of rental property that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Flaxmere include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Flaxmere for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.