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 July 2021? The landlords are now required 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate 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, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

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

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Belmont, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Belmont rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Belmont rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Belmont

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Belmont

Rental properties in Belmont require a reliable heating source that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Belmont

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Belmont

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with 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 more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Belmont Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Belmont

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Belmont for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the 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 need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.