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 are now required to ensure that their Frimley 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 fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Frimley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Frimley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Frimley, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the quality of Frimley rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Frimley rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Frimley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Frimley

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Frimley

Frimley rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Frimley

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Frimley

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to allow the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Frimley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Frimley

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Frimley for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during a home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.