Healthy Homes Assessment Fairfield

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Fairfield rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully 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

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

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Fairfield, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Fairfield rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for 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 can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of the house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Fairfield

Fairfield rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Fairfield

Every living space of a rental house must include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Fairfield

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Fairfield Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Fairfield

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Fairfield include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Fairfield for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to 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 assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.