Healthy Homes Assessment Belmont

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Belmont rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’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 landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified for 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Belmont, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Belmont rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Belmont rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Belmont Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Belmont

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Belmont

Belmont rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Belmont

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Belmont

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy to the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs 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 insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Belmont Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this 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 Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Belmont include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Belmont for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.