Healthy Homes Assessment Frimley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Frimley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Frimley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and 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 comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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 Frimley, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the standard of Frimley rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Frimley rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Frimley

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

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the household warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Frimley

Frimley rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Frimley

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Frimley

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to allow the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• 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 standard.

Frimley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Frimley

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Frimley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Frimley for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.