Healthy Homes Assessment Fairfield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Fairfield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Fairfield, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Fairfield rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Fairfield rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Fairfield Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Fairfield

Rental properties in Fairfield must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Fairfield

Every living space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Fairfield

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes it easier for the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Fairfield include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property home assessment.