Healthy Homes Assessment Belmont

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 are required to be fully certified 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 and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside 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. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Belmont, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Belmont rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Belmont rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Belmont

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Belmont

Belmont rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Belmont

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Belmont

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to allow the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Belmont Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Belmont

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by The Healthy Homes Standard in Belmont include each:

• Living Room
• 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 home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home evaluation.