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? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Broadmeadows rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Broadmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Broadmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Broadmeadows, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Broadmeadows rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Broadmeadows

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Broadmeadows

Rental properties in Broadmeadows need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Broadmeadows

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Broadmeadows

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task for the home to retain the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Broadmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Broadmeadows

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Broadmeadows include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Broadmeadows for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in an house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.