Healthy Homes Assessment Camberley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Camberley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Camberley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could 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 with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a home assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Camberley, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Camberley rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Camberley rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Camberley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Camberley

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Camberley

Rental properties in Camberley should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it may need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Camberley

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Camberley

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Camberley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Camberley

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Camberley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Camberley for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.