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 of July 2021? The landlords are now required to 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 must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of 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 relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Belmont rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement 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 of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Belmont, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Belmont rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Belmont rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Belmont Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Belmont

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Belmont

Rental properties in Belmont require a reliable heating source which can warm the main or largest 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 health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Belmont

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air is much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Belmont

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making much easier for the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, 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

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

Belmont Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the 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 with the Healthy Homes Standard in Belmont include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Belmont for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property home assessment.