Healthy Homes Assessment Belmont

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Belmont 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 must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed 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 in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of 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, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of the 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 indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Belmont rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Belmont rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Belmont

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Belmont

Belmont rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Belmont

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Belmont

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make it easier for the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Belmont Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Belmont

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Belmont include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Belmont for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.