Healthy Homes Assessment Greenmeadows

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Greenmeadows rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation 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 healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Greenmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Greenmeadows 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 by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result 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 make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Greenmeadows, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Greenmeadows rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Greenmeadows rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Greenmeadows Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Greenmeadows

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of your house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Greenmeadows

Greenmeadows rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Greenmeadows

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Greenmeadows

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Greenmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Greenmeadows

The areas of rental property that are affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Greenmeadows include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Greenmeadows for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during the house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.