Healthy Homes Assessment Fairfield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Fairfield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for 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 complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to assess 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Fairfield rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Fairfield, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Fairfield rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Fairfield

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the household warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Fairfield

Fairfield rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it may require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Fairfield

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Fairfield

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fairfield

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.