Healthy Homes Assessment Fairfield

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 make sure that their Fairfield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate each of 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on the Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Fairfield, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Fairfield rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Fairfield rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Fairfield

Rental properties in Fairfield need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Fairfield

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Fairfield

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task to allow the household to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fairfield

Rental property areas affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Fairfield include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• 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 falling on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.