Healthy Homes Assessment Broadmeadows

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Broadmeadows rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and 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

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Broadmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Broadmeadows, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

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

The improvement in the standard of Broadmeadows rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Broadmeadows rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Broadmeadows Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Broadmeadows

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Broadmeadows

Broadmeadows rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to have a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Broadmeadows

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Broadmeadows

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to 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 certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher 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 of the 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Broadmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Broadmeadows

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Broadmeadows include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Broadmeadows for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over during an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.