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 must 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 rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to assess each of 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

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

It’s important to be aware that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Belmont, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Belmont rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Begin now by calling about receiving a Belmont Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Belmont

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

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole 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 into or out from your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Belmont

Belmont rental properties require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Belmont

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Belmont

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• 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 quality.

Belmont Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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 through 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 concerns to look over during an house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.