Healthy Homes Assessment Flaxmere

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Flaxmere rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in 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 $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate each of 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 Flaxmere rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Flaxmere, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Flaxmere rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Flaxmere rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Flaxmere Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Flaxmere

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable 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 are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows in 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 for healthy houses

Heating Flaxmere

Rental properties in Flaxmere need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Flaxmere

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Flaxmere

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the household to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values 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 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Flaxmere Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of 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 through The Healthy Homes Standards in Flaxmere include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Flaxmere for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.