Healthy Homes Assessment Belmont

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that 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 are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined 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 hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Belmont, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Belmont rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Belmont rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Belmont

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Belmont

Belmont rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Belmont

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Belmont

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to allow the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Belmont Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your 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

Rental property areas affected with 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 variety of things to be able to examine during the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.