Healthy Homes Assessment Broadmeadows

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Broadmeadows rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely 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 check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified to assess 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Broadmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Broadmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding 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 having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Broadmeadows, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Broadmeadows rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Broadmeadows rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Broadmeadows Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Broadmeadows

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Broadmeadows

Broadmeadows rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Broadmeadows

Each living space within a rental house must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Broadmeadows

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier for the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Broadmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 through The Healthy Homes Standard in Broadmeadows include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Broadmeadows for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home assessment.