Healthy Homes Assessment Broadmeadows

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Broadmeadows rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with 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 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified to evaluate both 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Broadmeadows rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a 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 an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Broadmeadows, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Broadmeadows rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower 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 Draught Stopping in Broadmeadows rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Broadmeadows

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used 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 possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Broadmeadows

Broadmeadows rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on 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 outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Broadmeadows

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Broadmeadows

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy for the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Broadmeadows Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating 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 quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Broadmeadows

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Broadmeadows for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.