Healthy Homes Assessment Broadmeadows

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified for 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Broadmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on the Broadmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Broadmeadows, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Broadmeadows rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Broadmeadows rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Broadmeadows Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Broadmeadows

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A damp house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Broadmeadows

Broadmeadows rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 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 as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Broadmeadows

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs 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.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Broadmeadows

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task for the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Broadmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Broadmeadows

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Broadmeadows include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Broadmeadows for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.