Healthy Homes Assessment Frasertown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that 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 the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Frasertown, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Frasertown rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Frasertown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Frasertown

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is 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 coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Frasertown

Frasertown rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Frasertown

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient 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 an ideal house

Insulation Frasertown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to allow the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Frasertown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Frasertown

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Frasertown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Frasertown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.