Healthy Homes Assessment Frasertown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Frasertown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Frasertown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Frasertown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Frasertown, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Frasertown rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Frasertown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Frasertown

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Frasertown

Rental properties in Frasertown must have a fixed heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Frasertown

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Frasertown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task for the house to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Frasertown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Frasertown

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Frasertown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Frasertown for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.