Healthy Homes Assessment Greenmeadows

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 are now required to make sure that their Greenmeadows rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Greenmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Greenmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a house assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Greenmeadows, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Greenmeadows rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Greenmeadows rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Greenmeadows Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Greenmeadows

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Greenmeadows

Rental properties in Greenmeadows require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Greenmeadows

Each liveable space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Greenmeadows

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to allow the home to retain the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Greenmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

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

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Greenmeadows

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Greenmeadows include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Greenmeadows for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think 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 the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.