Healthy Homes Assessment Belmont

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 must make sure that their Belmont rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new 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 your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in 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 live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Belmont, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Belmont rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Belmont rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Belmont Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Belmont

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into your house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Belmont

Rental properties in Belmont should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it may require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Belmont

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Belmont

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make much easier for the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Belmont Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. 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 Belmont

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Belmont include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Belmont for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.