Healthy Homes Assessment Belmont

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to 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 rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate both 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 have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an home assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Belmont, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Belmont rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Belmont rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Belmont

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A cold home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Belmont

Belmont rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 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 check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Belmont

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

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

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Belmont

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make it easier for the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Belmont Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The 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 with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Belmont include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Belmont for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.