Healthy Homes Assessment Belmont

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Belmont rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new 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 your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified to assess 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for 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.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to remember that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Belmont, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Belmont rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Belmont rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Belmont

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Belmont

Belmont rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Belmont

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Belmont

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of 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, and will also make much easier for the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

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

Belmont Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Belmont

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Belmont include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Belmont for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property home assessment.