Healthy Homes Assessment Belmont

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Belmont rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’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 complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Belmont, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Belmont rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Belmont rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Belmont

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Belmont

Belmont rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it could require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Belmont

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Belmont

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to allow the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Belmont Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The Healthy Homes Standard in Belmont include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Belmont for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.