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 are now required to ensure their Fairfield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified to assess 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Fairfield, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Fairfield rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Fairfield rental properties.

Get started now and contact us 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 less temperature in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors during 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 well-being houses

Heating Fairfield

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

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Fairfield

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Fairfield

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and 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 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.

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fairfield

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to the Healthy Homes Standard in Fairfield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.