Healthy Homes Assessment Frasertown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Frasertown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Frasertown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Frasertown, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Frasertown rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Frasertown rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Frasertown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Frasertown

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Frasertown

Frasertown rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it needs to include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it may need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Frasertown

Each liveable space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Frasertown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to allow the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

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

Frasertown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Frasertown

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Frasertown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Frasertown for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during the house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.