Healthy Homes Assessment Frasertown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Frasertown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties 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 the rental property you have in order to 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 work required. requirements to be completed and provide the report with 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 violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified for 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Frasertown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Frasertown, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Frasertown rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Frasertown rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Frasertown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Frasertown

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Frasertown

Frasertown rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Frasertown

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Frasertown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make much easier to allow the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

Frasertown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Frasertown

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Frasertown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Frasertown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.