Healthy Homes Assessment Flaxmere

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Flaxmere rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified for both 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Flaxmere rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Flaxmere rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Flaxmere, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Flaxmere rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Flaxmere rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Flaxmere Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Flaxmere

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Flaxmere

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

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Flaxmere

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Flaxmere

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to allow the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

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

Flaxmere Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, 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.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Flaxmere

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Flaxmere include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Flaxmere for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.