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 must ensure their Fairfield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals 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 can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Fairfield 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 inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Fairfield, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Fairfield rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Fairfield rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Fairfield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Fairfield

Rental properties in Fairfield need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Fairfield

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property 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 hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Fairfield

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture 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 prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fairfield

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Fairfield include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.