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 are now required to make sure their Broadmeadows rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties 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 will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Broadmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Broadmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Broadmeadows, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Broadmeadows rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Broadmeadows rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Broadmeadows Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Broadmeadows

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from your house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Broadmeadows

Broadmeadows rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Broadmeadows

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dried air can be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Broadmeadows

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task for the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Broadmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Broadmeadows

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Broadmeadows include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Broadmeadows for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.