Healthy Homes Assessment Camberley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Camberley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Camberley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Camberley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Camberley, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Camberley rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards 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 today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Camberley

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements 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 gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Camberley

Rental properties in Camberley should have a permanent heating source that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Camberley

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Camberley

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to allow the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Camberley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Camberley

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Camberley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Camberley for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in a house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.