Healthy Homes Assessment Frimley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Frimley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Frimley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Frimley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Frimley, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Frimley rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Frimley rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Frimley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Frimley

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Frimley

Frimley rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include the thermostat. This will help 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 necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Frimley

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Frimley

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require 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, and also makes it easier to allow the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and 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 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.

Frimley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Frimley

The areas of rental property that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Frimley include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Frimley for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine during the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.