Healthy Homes Assessment Camberley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Camberley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Camberley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Camberley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Camberley, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Camberley rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

Contact us now to discuss the Camberley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Camberley

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within your house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Camberley

Camberley rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most 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 source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Camberley

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate 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 quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Camberley

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

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

Camberley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Camberley

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Camberley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Camberley for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.