Healthy Homes Assessment Greenmeadows

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 ensure that their Greenmeadows rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects 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 whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Greenmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Greenmeadows, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the standard of Greenmeadows rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Greenmeadows rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Greenmeadows

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Greenmeadows

Greenmeadows rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Greenmeadows

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Greenmeadows

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Greenmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Greenmeadows

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standards in Greenmeadows include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Greenmeadows for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.