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 July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be done and offer a report with all the information needed 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 any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Belmont, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Belmont rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in 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 houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Belmont

Rental properties in Belmont must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC 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 wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should include a thermostat. This makes 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 necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Belmont

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Belmont

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to the household to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Belmont Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor 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 by The Healthy Homes Standard in Belmont include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Belmont for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.