Healthy Homes Assessment Belmont

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Belmont rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any 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 determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in 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 connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified to evaluate both 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Belmont, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Belmont rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal 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 now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Belmont

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Belmont

Rental properties in Belmont require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it could require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Belmont

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Belmont

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making much easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Belmont Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent 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

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Belmont include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Belmont for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.