Healthy Homes Assessment Camborne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Camborne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 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 determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Camborne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Camborne 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 deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

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

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Camborne, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Camborne rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould 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 and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Camborne rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Camborne Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Camborne

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Camborne

Rental properties in Camborne need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Camborne

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

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

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Camborne

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the 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 rest 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Camborne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Camborne

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The Healthy Homes Standard in Camborne include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Camborne for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.