Healthy Homes Assessment Flaxmere

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Flaxmere rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’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 complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Flaxmere rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Flaxmere rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Flaxmere, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Flaxmere rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Flaxmere rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Flaxmere

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Flaxmere

Rental properties in Flaxmere need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it may require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Flaxmere

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Flaxmere

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to allow the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Flaxmere Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 Flaxmere

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Flaxmere include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Flaxmere for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.