Healthy Homes Assessment Frasertown

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 now have to make sure their Frasertown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 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. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Frasertown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Frasertown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on 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 Frasertown, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Frasertown rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Frasertown

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within your home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Frasertown

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

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it needs to include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Frasertown

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Frasertown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to allow the household to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater 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 area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Frasertown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water 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 block any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Frasertown

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Frasertown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Frasertown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home assessment.