Healthy Homes Assessment Belmont

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required 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 fully 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 will assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to evaluate 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 tasks have to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed 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 inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Belmont, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Belmont rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance 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 Stopping within Belmont rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Belmont Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Belmont

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, 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 from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Belmont

Belmont rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Belmont

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient 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 dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Belmont

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier for the household to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Belmont Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 by the Healthy Homes Standards in Belmont include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Belmont for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.